MLB Roundup

Yankees Pitcher A.J. Burnett Suspended 6 Games

Thanks to a brew haha started by Rangers Pitcher Vicente Padilla earlier this week, who was also released by Texas, A.J. Burnett was popped for 6 games. Essentially one start, which Burnett replied by appealing the suspension. Now the fact that Padilla only got fined and not suspended for being the instigator in this is wrong. In a previous column I wrote back in April called, “Beckett Needs to Wake Up,” I explained that those who throw at a guy’s head are dirty players. Now Burnett does not have a history of this, but I do stand by my comments. You don’t throw near a guy’s dome. Never ever. Padilla did not throw at Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira’s head. He plunked him on the arm, then the behind. The stats show that Padilla has plunked the most batters among active pitchers in the last couple seasons. Now Padilla should have been suspended too, but I’m not as upset because he lost his job as a result. Good for the Rangers in releasing him and good for Baseball to continue to punish the head hunters. CORRECTION 06/07/2009: I misspoke when I said Padilla was released. He was put on outright waivers and was not claimed. He is still with the Rangers.

Glavine treated like garbage by Braves

I don’t get too involved with ball clubs personnel decisions unless it involves my favorite team. I’m a fan just like you. If they let a guy go, it was probably for the right reason. I can’t in good conscious go along with the Atlanta Braves decision this week. Soon to be Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine pitches in two rehab games at Single A for the Braves. Combined eleven innings of scoreless baseball, but it was Single A players mind you. Putting that aside, the Braves let him go through rehab for his elbow and shoulder all the time expecting when he was done he would be back with the club to finish his career where it started. Unsuspecting to Glavine, the Braves were going to release him anyway it seems. Atlanta’s chairman Terry McGuirk has said, “I know they had a very tough time but it was purely and only on the merits of what gave us the best chance to win, no financial interest whatsoever involved.” Tom Glavine was going to receive a million dollar bonus for being on the active roster. If finance wasn’t going to be the reason, then why put him through the rehab with the hopes of getting back in the show? Glavine has replied, “I told those guys if it’s about you have better options, then tell me you have better options, I have listened the last day and a half about how bad I am, how bad I pitched and how I can’t get anybody out in the big leagues. I’ve heard all that stuff. I don’t agree with it.” Bottom line, Atlanta should have seen if Tom could get big leaguers out or don’t even let him go through the rehab assignment. How much does Tom not want to go into the Hall as Brave now?

Sammy Sooser Returns

Slammin’ Sammy has returned to the headlines to announce his impending retirement. It hasn’t been an official retirement the past two years? This really is no surprise to me, but what is a surprise is the fact that Sosa has learned English again. “Everything I achieved, I did it thanks to my perseverance, which is why I never had any long, difficult moments [as a baseball player]. If you have a bad day in baseball, and start thinking about it, you will have 10 more,” said Sosa. He went onto his Hall of Fame status, “I will calmly wait for my induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Don’t I have the numbers to be inducted?” You do have the numbers Sammy, but you also need to explain some things. Why did you forget to speak English in front of Congress? Why did you really need to cork your bat? Why did you abandon your teammates on the last day of a losing season? He will be put into the same cloud of proven steroid users and circumstantial users. It will be the Steroid Era now and forever. Sosa and others might eventually get in, but how long will it take or will it ever happen? We won’t know for a few more years. We know “Baseball has been berry good to you,” but will Baseball return the favor?

NBA Playoff Recap

Way back before the NBA playoffs started I did mention on the “Talkin’ Sports” show on KLBC with my co-host JR, that Orlando could potentially make a run at the Eastern Conference title. That was of course before the injury to their All Star point guard Jameer Nelson. I then retracted and gave them no chance at the East title. Now that they did win and nearly swept the favorite Cavaliers, they can be considered in some circles a tough matchup for the Lakers. The Lakers finally decided to play to their capabilities and beat Denver in their own house to await the Magic in LA. I’m sure no one had Orlando in this spot, but everyone had the Lakers in theres.

Now without going into a prediction of the Finals, we all know where I stand. I believe the Lakers will win, but they will not win in no less than six games. The Lakers match up well with Orlando better than Cleveland did. I want to go back and more or less react to the NBA MVP LeBron James. He is a great player. Possibly top three if not one of the top five players in the NBA today. Perhaps he is the face of the NBA as well and has all the fame and fortune to last a lifetime. Basic sportsmanship should be a must when your at that kind of level. I know he’s not the first and won’t be the last person to leave the court early after losing a series in the postseason. Come on LeBron. Shake hands with Orlando, answer a couple questions with the media and go home. Don’t email your Olympic teammate afterwards. Don’t rationalize your decision today with, “It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” he said. “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.” If I’m not mistaken, you are the team leader. The reason why Cleveland got to where they are in the playoffs. Of course your being a poor sport. Some would say a cry baby (see above). Learn from this mistake because you haven’t made any up until this point in your career LeBron.

My favorite story is that Lamar Odom is on a sugar rush. Literally eating tons of Snickers, Gummi Life Savers, Three Muskeeters and not to mention Cookies before games. Is that the reason why he doesn’t seem to be there for some of these games? I don’t know. Frankly this shouldn’t be a big deal, but when a doctor does research and theorizes about how this could affect him, then I really don’t care. I can’t get enough of the sweet stuff, but I do know when to put it down (right as I put down my Reese’s). Lamar will, according to him, wake up in the middle of the night grab his Mrs. Fields and go right back to sleep. I am in no means wanting the Lakers to go cold turkey with Odom’s stash. The Lakers are in the Finals, everyone who has eaten sugary things understands the obsession and to quote a Beatles song, “Let It Be.” Let him have his Twix and Skittles before the game. M&M’s during a timeout. Twinkies and Rolos at halftime. And after the game wash it all down with some Pixi Stix. A recipe for success.

Scandal, Stupidity, Stanley Cup Recap

When the college basketball season is over, we usually focus on the prospects going to the big programs and see those move on to the NBA during the summer. We almost always forget that there is a scandal or two that comes out involving a big time program or a big time coach. Former Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson was the last big name to be punished for of all things, texting to much to recruits. USC and their coach Tim Floyd will soon be punished for the O.J. Mayo scandal involving money and gifts. The same seems to be happening now to the Memphis basketball program. It involves Derrick Rose who is now in Chicago playing for the Bulls. Allegedly in high school one of Rose’s grades was elevated from a D to a C. Obviously it doesn’t concern Memphis, if it happened at his high school, but the other allegation is more troubling. Allowing Rose’s brother to fly on the team charter plane and stay at the team’s hotel free of charge.

Now why would it even be a policy to allow anyone to fly on the teams charter. According to Memphis AD R.C. Johnson it is. It is schocking to a degree, but then again not so much. A big time program allowing “Joe Schmoe” or even a players relative (allegedly) to buy a seat on the team charter plane. Former Memphis coach John Calipari should have known who was on that plane and not allowed it if it did in fact happen. According to the NCAA Calipari is not in any trouble, yet. They want him to attend a hearing scheduled for next week on the allegations for the Memphis basketball program. He has some history hear. He lead UMass to a NCAA title game over a decade ago and later left for the NBA before the NCAA took away the appearance because UMass player Marcus Camby was being paid by agents. Now that he bolted for Kentucky, the Memphis program is getting some heat. Kentucky got what they paid for and knew of the allegations at Memphis when hiring John Calipari. The Wildcats better hope they don’t follow into their program.

Speaking of Kentucky. They have now counter sued their former coach Billy Gillispie after he sued them for six million dollars of money they owe him. Now let me get this straight. Gillispie never signed a formal contract that would guarantee him money in case of a firing which was going to happpen. Lets face it, Kentucky did not like him from the start and they knew it when he wouldn’t sign a contract. It shouldn’t be as simple as that, but it is. Billy Gillispie is a good coach, but not a great coach. I don’t fault him for taking the Kentucky job even though it wasn’t the best job for him, but come on Billy. Sign next to the X so that your assured of something in case the school decides to can you. Kentucky claims the memorandum he did sign was on a year to year basis because of his unwillingness to sign a long term contract. Gillispie says otherwise and wants the rest of the money guaranteed in the memorandum. Fine. Settle out of court and go your separate ways. Hope you learned a lesson about contract negotiations there Billy.

I was foolish to think the Carolina Hurricanes were going to push the Penguins to six or seven games. I was even more foolish to think the young Chicago Blackhawks were going to beat the defending champion Red Wings in seven. Alas, we have a rematch in the Finals. The first since 83-84 when the Islanders and Oilers met in the Finals for the second straight year. Thanks to the NHL’s stupid TV contract they play on back to back days this weekend. Detroit is a little banged up, but they should be ready to go this weekend. Pittsburgh is motivated and hungry for revenge. Crosby and Malkin are playing great and their goalie Fleury has been spectacular. The Red Wings have the same group from last year with Marian Hossa changing sides. I don’t expect a one sided affair from Detroit this time around. The Penguins should have that going for them this year. Sid the Kid, the NHL’s golden boy and savior will hoist his first of what could be many Cups this year. Pittsburgh in six.

Vick is Free from the Federal Pound

If you haven’t heard from the constant lawn coverage in Virginia this week, Michael Vick is out of jail. His motorcade was mapped out from his jail cell in Kansas to his home in Virginia. You talk about nothing going on. I mean I’m sick and tired of this. How is it that someone who is released from jail now has to have non stop coverage of his every move. Do we really need to know that he will be working for $10 an hour at a construction job? Do we really need to know that he will be electronically monitored? Do we really need to know that he is not allowed to have a dog? I will go ahead and answer these questions without any b-s answer from a spokesperson or attorney. Working for $10 an hour brings him to reality compared to the millions he threw away for something so heinous. The monitor is so the same people who put him away can come down on him for so much as driving by a dog park. Of course he should not be allowed to have a dog. I would not let him have a goldfish.

The main issue I have with this is not that he was released too soon. Not even the media coverage, although it’s tough for me. The problem that I have is with Michael Vick’s outlook on the rest of his life. Forget football Mike. That should be the least of your worries. Yes someone will take a chance on you, but you still need to face that fact that Commissioner Roger Goodell holds your key in his hands. You did lie to him before you were indicted on the charges and later plead guilty. He’s not going to forget that I guarantee it. My question to you is are you truly sorry for what you did and regret every minute of it? Or are you sorry that you were caught? That was my question two years ago and still is today. Do you regret doing it or getting caught?

I really can’t stand these animal rights groups. That’s the only thing I have Vick’s back on. Yes they have free speech and can say what they want. Enough is enough though. The man served his time and if he truly is sorry and helps spread the word about animal abuse, let it alone. It seems that Peta will be mobilizing when and if he gets back in the NFL to protest his reinstatement. For the record I would stand in front of Peta headquarters and eat a bucket of KFC extra crispy chicken as my way of protesting them. No doubt. I believe this man is truly sorry, but I can’t be sure about it until he shows it.

The picture above shows Michael Vick at his press conference after being indicted on federal dog fighting charges back in 2007. What a joke of a presser that was. Reading a prepared statement from your attorney. Not showing any remorse for your actions and not realizing that you are not invincible from the law. You have had a long time to think about what you did and what you could have done differently. You can’t dwell on that now. Stay down, show up to see your probation officer and don’t even think about playing in the NFL this year. Mr. Goodell will not welcome you with open arms and the majority of the league will not want you. Maybe your knuckle head teammates who flaunted “Free Mike Vick” t-shirts during a game in 2007 will, but that was before they realized what you did. I look forward to seeing you 24-7 since our culture dictates we must know your every move. Memo to the NFL network in particular. I know it’s the most boring time of the offseason, but shut up about Michael Vick now. Same to you ESPN. He is not reinstated. Stop the speculation on who he would be a good fit for. Never has an athlete that was considered the best in his sport fallen so fast.

Steel Cage Match between WWE & The Denver Nuggets

Whether you follow the fake spectacle of the WWE or not, you’ve got to appreciate some good trash talking. Vince McMahon the CEO of the WWE laid the smack down on Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke on Tuesday. Click here for the video smack and to make matters even funnier. The WWE event has been moved from the Pepsi Center in Denver to the Staples Center in LA. Nice.

Vince vs. Stan The Main Event of 2009